Modeling, Assessment, and Optimization of the Indirectly Heated Carbonate Looping Process for CO2 Capture from Lime Plants

Lime plays a crucial role in modern industry—essential in steelmaking, construction, agriculture, and chemical manufacturing. However, its production is inherently carbon-intensive. To drastically reduce CO2 emissions, efficient carbon capture solutions are needed. The Indirectly Heated Carbonate Looping (IHCaL) process offers a groundbreaking approach to capturing CO2 from lime and cement production. By leveraging synergies with existing industrial processes, IHCaL technology minimizes energy penalties and economic costs. Yet, until now, key integration challenges and modeling gaps have remained unaddressed. To fill this research gap, this doctoral dissertation presents innovative IHCaL process integration approaches for efficient CO2 capture; advanced reactor models based on experimental data; strategies for heat recovery, power generation, and fuel optimization; and insights on CO2 capture and economics based on process simulations. All of this is complemented by practical design guidelines for scaling up the IHCaL process. This dissertation is a key reference for advancing IHCaL technology toward commercialization and accelerating the decarbonization of lime production.